Initial Prep (Trim, Cut, Shape, and Drill)
08/22/2021 – 0.7 hours
This is a fun step because you actually get to temporarily attach the vertical stabilizer to the empennage. It definitely looks like an airplane! The steps for this sheet are different for the tail-dragger vs. the tricycle gear versions, but the plans make it very clear which steps to follow for each. For the RV-14A (tricycle gear), 2 #12 holes have to be final drilled through the vertical stabilizer spar and the deck angle on the aft deck. The port side hole went fine, but I made a significant error on the starboard side. I need to contact Van's to see if I've done irreparable harm to my vertical stabilizer. I really hope its OK – if not I may be building a new vertical stabilizer at some point :(.
[#12 Drill]
8/24/2021 Update
Van's technical support provided their usual quick and professional response to my question on the drilling error. This is not a mistake with an easy fix, and Van's recommended replacing the vertical stabilizer rear spar and doubler. I looked at the vertical stabilizer and determined that I would not be able to replace those parts without disassembling most of the VS, which would involve drilling out a lot of rivets. The chances of removing all of those rivets without further damage to the other VS parts is essentially zero, so I decided to build a new VS. The VS only has 15 parts, so I went to the Van's Web Store and placed my order (plus additional rivets). The parts cost $266 (plus crating and shipping), and I think the end result will be a better VS than my original with no drilling issue when it is complete. I'll use the original VS to practice priming and painting, and eventually turn it into hangar wall art or take my friend's suggestion to turn it into a coffee table. This was a time-consuming and costly lesson in paying extra attention to the task at hand and stopping work when you're tired. Lesson Learned!